Method for Tracking Characteristics in Joined Assemblies

Abstract

A method for uniquely identifying an assembly of at least two components, comprising the steps of: reading a first identifier associated with a first component; reading a second identifier associated with a second component; joining the first component to the second component with a joinder process; associating the first identifier and the second identifier with the joint, yielding a joint identification, the joint identification being recalled upon the reading of either the first identifier or the second identifier; associating the first identifier and the second identifier with the assembly, yielding an assembly identification, the assembly identification being recalled upon the reading of either the first identifier or the second identifier; storing in a machine-accessible memory the joint identification, the assembly identification, and all associations.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a flowchart showing a method for uniquely identifying an assembly of at least two components in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an illustration of an assembly of components created in accordance with the method of the present invention

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a method for assembling at least two components in accordance with an alternate embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a method for assembling at least two components in accordance with yet another alternate embodiment of the present invention.

Claims

1) A method for uniquely identifying an assembly of at least two components, comprising the steps of: reading a first identifier associated with a first component;reading a second identifier associated with a second component;joining said first component to said second component with a joinder process;associating said first identifier and said second identifier with said joint, yielding a joint identification, said joint identification being recalled upon the reading of either said first unique identifier or said second unique identifier;associating said first unique identifier and said second unique identifier with said assembly, yielding an assembly identification, said assembly identification being recalled upon the reading of either said first identifier or said second identifier;storing in a machine-accessible memory said joint identification, said assembly identification, and all associations.

2) The method for uniquely identifying an assembly of at least two components of claim 1 wherein, said first identifier is associated with a first data set containing information specific to said first component; said second identifier is associated with a second data set containing information specific to said second component; said joint is associated with a joint data set containing information specific to said joint; a combined data set being formed comprising said first data set, said second data set, and said joint data set; said combined data set being recalled from said machine-accessible memory upon the reading of either said first identifier or said second identifier.

3) The method for uniquely identifying an assembly of at least two components of claim 1 wherein, said assembly of at least two components comprises more than two said components, each said component being joined to said assembly by at least one corresponding joint associated with a corresponding joint data; each said component having a corresponding identifier associated with a corresponding component data; the reading of any said corresponding identifier within said assembly recalling from said machine-accessible memory all data associated with said assembly, including all said corresponding joint data and said corresponding component data.

4) The method for uniquely identifying an assembly of at least two components of claim 1 wherein, an identifier associated with a component is a unique sequence of code, having a generic portion and having a unique portion; said generic portion sharing information with all similar components; said unique portion uniquely identifying said component.

5) The method for uniquely identifying an assembly of at least two components of claim 1 wherein, at least one of said first component and said second component have a plurality of joinder points, each said joinder point having the ability to mate with a contiguous component, each said joinder point being individually identified with a joinder point identification, said joinder point identification being machine-readable; said joinder point identification identifying properties associated with said joinder point.

6) A method for assembling at least two components, comprising the steps of: reading a first identifier associated with a first component;reading a second identifier associated with a second component, said first identifier and said second identifier referencing a machine-accessible memory containing a first data set for said first component and a second data set for said second component;determining automatically a recommended joinder process for a planned joint between said first component and said second component, said recommended joinder process being based on the combined properties of said first data set and said second data set;confirming adherence to said recommended joinder process by an assembler;joining said first component to said second component with said recommended joinder process;associating said first identifier and said second identifier with said joint, yielding a joint identification, said joint identification being recalled upon the reading of either said first identifier or said second identifier;associating said first identifier and said second identifier with said assembly, yielding an assembly identification, said assembly identification being recalled upon the reading of either said first identifier or said second identifier;storing in a machine-accessible memory said joint identification, said assembly identification, and all associations.

7) The method for assembling at least two components of claim 5 wherein, said first data set comprises properties data associated with said first component, said second data set comprises properties data associated with said second component.

8) The method for assembling at least two components of claim 5 wherein, said assembler is uniquely identified with an assembler identification, said identifier identification being permanently associated with said joint identification and said assembly identification.

9) The method for assembling at least two components of claim 5 wherein, an adherence data set is stored in a machine-accessible memory, said adherence data set being formed by confirming adherence to said recommended joinder process, said adherence data set being permanently associated with said joint identification and said assembly identification, said adherence data set being collected by a sensor if a sensor has an ability to detect said joinder process.

10) A method for assembling at least two components, comprising the steps of: imbedding a first generic identifier and a second generic identifier in an assembly design plan associated with a first component and a second component respectively, said first generic identifier and said second generic identifier being machine-readable, said assembly design plan detailing a joint;reading said first generic identifier and said second generic identifier associated with said assembly design plan, said first generic identifier and said second generic identifier communicating to an assembler said first component and said second component needed for said assembly, said assembly design plan and said first generic identifier and said second generic identifier being presented on a medium;communicating to said assembler a recommended joinder process for said joint;reading a first identifier associated with said first component, said first identifier including said first generic identifier;reading a second identifier associated with said second component, said second identifier including said second generic identifier;confirming adherence to said recommended joinder process by an assembler;joining said first component to said second component with said recommended joinder process;associating said first identifier and said second identifier with said joint, yielding a joint identification, said joint identification being recalled upon the reading of either said first identifier or said second identifier;associating said first identifier and said second identifier with said assembly, yielding an assembly identification, said assembly identification being recalled upon the reading of either said first identifier or said second identifier;storing in a machine-accessible memory said joint identification, said assembly identification, and all associations.

11) The method for assembling at least two components of claim 9 wherein a first computer aided drafting block for said first component includes said first generic identifier and a second computer aided drafting block for said second component includes said second generic identifier, said first computer aided drafting block and said second computer aided drafting block being inserted into said assembly design plan.